Several 2018 Breast Implant Lymphoma Cancer Lawsuits Already Filed

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Background

Breast Implant-Associated Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma (BIA-ALCL) is a type of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, which is a cancer of the cells of the immune system.  This rare T-cell lymphoma can develop as a result of breast implants, though the mechanism of injury is not fully understood at this time.  However, based on current data from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), we do know that textured breast implants carry a greater risk of BIA-ALCL than smooth implants.

According to the most recent BIA-ALCL update from the FDA, 414 medical device reports (MDRs) related to breast implants and ALCL have been filed.  Nine of these reports involved the death of the patient.

As more information concerning the risks of BIA-ALCL becomes available, medical and regulatory agencies expect the number of these breast implant lymphoma diagnoses to continue to rise.

 

Recent Lawsuits

Several lawsuits have already been filed this year on behalf of women who have been diagnosed with BIA-ALCL as a result of their breast implants.

In March of 2018, a woman filed suit against Allergan Inc. because of the BIA-ALCL diagnosis she received.  The Plaintiff had her “Allergan Natrelle Silicone” breast implants for less than two years before her diagnosis.  Her treatment consisted of several revision and removal surgeries, then eventually chemotherapy and removal of her affected lymph nodes.

According to the Complaint, the “Plaintiff maintains that Defendants’ breast implants lacked proper warnings as to the dangers associated with their use.”  The lawsuit also alleges that the manufacturer of the breast implants failed to promptly and properly report the results of post-marketing studies that were required by the FDA.

A woman from Ohio alleges the same in her lawsuit against Mentor Worldwide, which was filed last month (April 2018) in New Jersey.  The Plaintiff in this case had the Mentor MemoryGel SILTEX breast implants for approximately eight years before her BIA-ALCL diagnosis.  As a result of her diagnosis, she required removal of the implants and six of her lymph nodes, as well as chemotherapy.

 

Going Forward

We expect to see additional lawsuits filed by women who have received BIA-ALCL diagnoses as the numbers of affected women increase steadily.

To learn more about BIA-ALCL lawsuits, we encourage you to visit our website and our resources page.

If you–or someone you know–have been diagnosed with BIA-ALCL or some other lymphoma cancer as a result of breast implants, we encourage you to complete our free case evaluation.

Of course, we will continue to monitor the medical, regulatory, and legal news for updates concerning BIA-ALCL and additional breast implant lymphoma cancer cases.

 

 

Written by: Heather Helmendach, Legal Assistant 
Law Offices of Thomas J. Lamb, P. A.